You will visit:
East Coast, including Cairns, Cape Tribulation & Whitsundays Islands

Get the most of Australia's East Coast with this tour to explore and relax. Take in the crystal clear waters and the lush tropical settings of this magnificent island. Ride the Captain Cook Highway with rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other, it's not your typical road trip. You'll make friends for life as you explore Down Under with this Contiki Australia travel package.

Top Offers & Trip Notes

Itinerary + Inclusions & ME Time Optionals

ME Time Optionals

ME Time optionals will take your trip to a whole new level with unforgettable experiences unique to the places you
visit. See more, do more, live more & go home completely regret-free. Costs for these aren’t included in your
tour cost & are payable to your Trip Manager in local currency.

Inclusions

On our trips we don't just take you to the destinations, we make sure you get under the skin of every place you visit. From amazing food & accommodation, to exclusive access to incredible experiences, with Contiki you'll get unbeatable value & a completely unique travel experience.

1
Arrive Cairns

Check into the Rydges Esplanade from 2pm and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.

Resort

2
Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Meet up with the other Contiki travellers and your Tour Manager in Cairns. Then we hit the road and travel north.

Sticking to the coast, we follow the Coral Sea past remote beaches and gorgeous scenery to the lush, tropical Daintree Rainforest. Get back to nature as we walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site with a local aboriginal guide who will teach you about the culture traditions of the native people. You will also head to a stunningly clear swimming-hole in Mossman Gorge, where you can cool off in the waters.

This afternoon you can choose to either glide through the canopy of the rainforest on the optional zip lines, go kayaking off cape tribulation and see turtles swimming beneath and eagles soaring overhead.

Tonight, get to know your group and Tour Manager over dinner in Cape Tribulation.

Resort
Breakfast

Aboriginal experience at Mossman Gorge

Jungle Surfing

A$85

Kayaking Adventure

A$65.00

3
Cape Tribulation to Cairns

Head to the lookout point at Cape Tribulation. The only place in the world where two UNESCO heritage listed sites meet. Next it’s onto make a splash in a local watering hole then check out the mangroves on a walk with our local guide.

Next up is Port Douglas, known for its idyllic white sands and palms trees. This resort town attracts the rich & famous, travelers and families alike. You’ll soon see why.

This afternoon it's back to Cairns!

In your free time on the first night in Cairns, walk around the buzzing night markets. It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos.

Resort
Breakfast

Swim in a local waterhole

Mangrove boardwalk with our expert guide

Visit the resort town of Port Douglas

4-5
Cairns

Wake up to the warm waters of Cairns where there’s something for everyone. This is your chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on an optional day trip. Put on your snorkel gear and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters.

On day 2, for those who are keen for a fun and thrilling ride on the rapids of the Tully River, join our optional whitewater rafting adventure activity with our professional Local Guides. There are loads more activities available in Cairns like hot air ballooning, sky diving and bungy jumping – just ask your Tour Manager for some more info.

Tonight we head out to a local restaurant for dinner where you have the opportunity to try kangaroo, amongst other delicious Australian delicacies.

ResortResort
Breakfast,Dinner,Breakfast

Cairns city orientation

Outer Barrier Reef Cruise

from A$170

White Water Rafting

A$185

Skydive Australia

From A$259

AJ Hackett Minjin Swing or Bungee Jump

A$105 / A$150

6-7
Cairns to Whitsundays Sailing

Relax on the coach as we cruise past thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best whitewater rafting. Slowly leaving the tropics behind us, we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive along the esplanade and into town where you can grab some lunch.

See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels south to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to board our sailing yacht.

Enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands with your friends. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around the 74 islands of this tropical paradise, where you will pass lush tropical islands, laze on the world's best beaches and personally meet an extravagant array of sea life. You can help the crew & learn how to grind the winches & hoist the sails, or just relax and top up your tan in the sun.

Please note: Accommodation on board the yacht is multishare only.

YachtYacht
Breakfast,Dinner,Lunch,Breakfast,Dinner

Pass through Tully, home to Australia's best whitewater rafting

Pass Hinchinbrook Island - Australia's largest island national park

See Magnetic Island

Townsville city orientation

Relax on the famous white sands of Whitehaven Beach

8
The Whitsundays

The trip ends after breakfast, so it's time to swap email addresses & say farewell to your new friends.